A photo posted by Gilberto (@gilbertojjpg) on Jan 5, 2017 at 2:41pm PST

So, instead of sitting around waiting for a top-tier opponent, Souza, ranked third in the division, settled on a nothing-to-gain-but-a-paycheck bout with Boetsch, who currently is ranked 14 in the shallow weight class.

Souza was slated to face former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold in a top contender bout in November, but Rockhold was forced out with a back injury. Souza hasn’t been seen since dusting Vitor Belfort in May.

Souza, along with Yoel Romero and Rockhold, is a contender to challenge current champ Michael Bisping for the title, but Bisping is presently sidelined with a leg injury. The Brazilian is victorious in nine of his past 10 outings, with his lone blemish during his current run coming two fights ago against Romero.

Boetsch, meanwhile, appeared to be on his way out of the UFC prior to his current two-fight winning streak. “The Barbarian” had dropped six of eight, including three straight, before beating Josh Samman and Rafael Natal, respectively.

UFC 208 goes down February 11 inside Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.